MeaningEgalitarianism is an ideology, principle or

doctrine referring to equal rights, benefits and

opportunities or equal treatment for all citizens

of a society.

It is a political doctrine that holds that all people

should be treated as equals and have the same

political, economic, social, and civil rights.

.

Need for Egalitarianism

Closed and heterogeneous Indian society

Multiple complexities and divisionsDiscrimination on the basis of - Sex, - Caste, - Religion and - Disability.

Need for EgalitarianismPatriarchal society,

Women face discrimination

Reflected in the sex ratio & low literacy levels

caste system – traditional society

Leads to severe oppression and

segregation of the lower castes

Need for EgalitarianismDiscrimination based on cultural norms,

beliefs, practices and customs deriving its

legitimacy from the principles of caste

system and religion.

Limits access to various freedoms,

including education

Disability is another area which has

experienced low priority in the service sector.

Disabled people’s needs are not addressed in

our society. Inclusive education has not

become a reality yet.

Need for Egalitarianism

Need for EgalitarianismDiscrimination based on the religion of an

individual cuts across gender, caste/tribe,

class and disability.

Marginalisation of minorities

Under-represented in nation-building

activities

Impact

1. Deprivation2. Poverty and ignorance3. Poor, pathetic living conditions4. Religious exploitation and superstition5. Identity crisis, isolation6. No human dignity7. No dignity of labour8. Low status9. Mental block

Impact10. Humiliation11. Dependency syndrome12. Inferiority complex13. Communication gap14. Escapism15. We and they feeling16. Suspicion17. Poor performance18. Crisis and conflict

Solution

Needed a higher platform to have

equal access

The Constitution of India - the Part

III, - Fundamental Rights, made

powerful provisions to combat all

forms of discrimination.

SolutionIdentifying under-represented groups.Caste, gender, religion, state of domicile

(N-E States, Bihar and U P are under-represented), rural people, etc.

Reservations intended to increase the social diversity in campuses and workplaces

Lowering the entry criteria for certain identifiable groups that are grossly under-represented

Reservation criteria

Gender (around 30% of seats are reserved for females in many institutions).

Sons/Daughters/Grandsons/Grand daughters of Freedom Fighters.

Physically handicapped. Sports personalities. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Candidates sponsored by various organisations.

Those who have served in the armed forces(ex-serviceman quota).

Dependants of armed forces personnel killed in action.

Repatriates. Those born from inter-caste marriages.

Widows and deserted women.

Relaxations

The minimum high school marks criteria are relaxed for reserved seats. For example in IIT JEE reserved category candidates scoring about 65% of the last admitted general category candidate are directly offered admission. Candidates not meeting this cutoff but scoring as low as half of this are offered admission to a one year preparatory course.

Age – Relaxation of upper age limit is 3 years for OBC candidates, 5 years for SC, ST candidates and 10 years for physically challenged candidates.

Fees, Hostel Room Rent etc Tuition fees and room rent is waived.

50% of the scholarships are reserved for SC/ST and OBC candidates

In each stream, 25% of scholarships are reserved for girl students and 10% for physically challenged candidates.

Role of Education

The education system can play positive interventionist role in the

Empowerment of people and

Removal of all kinds of biases which are man-made.

1. Teachers can inculcate the ideas and the need for non-discrimination on the basis of sex, caste, religion, disability and also briefly explain racism.

2. Teachers can foster in children equality, promote and strengthen the constitutional culture/spirit and stability

3. To promote equality, an awareness of the inherent equality of all can be created through various curricular areas.

4. Education can motivate the younger generation for international cooperation and peaceful co-existence

5. Education leads to the development of new values through new design of curricula and text books, the training and orientation of teachers, decision makers and administrators and active involvement of educational institutions.

6. The curriculum, through its content and process should reflect the constitutional obligations

7. Schools can play an important role in preparing the younger generation for assuming their roles as constructive and responsible citizens.

For SCs & STs8. Teachers can help to remove prejudices and

complexes transmitted through the social environment and accident of birth.

9. Schools can carry out all educational programs in strict conformity with secular values.

10. Teachers can organize various co-curricular activities like debates, essays, street plays on secular themes like human dignity and values

11. Administrative staff can be sensitized 12. Education can strengthen the view that

whole world is one family.

For Women 13.Teachers can give examples and

illustrations showing women in different roles with different responsibilities

14.Teachers can depict men and women in shared roles through visual aids, puppets etc

15.Teachers can invite women writers, artists, musicians to talk with the students or give performance

16.Teachers can counter the prejudices that may be found in the textbooks

17.Teachers can practice gender equality in the classroom

18.Textbooks can be made free of gender bias and sex stereotypes

19.Teachers can ensure gender equality through curriculum transaction - their teaching should

- be gender bias free and - portray boys and girls in shared

roles - also women excelling in different

walks of life

For Children with Disabilities

20.Schools should admit all types of disabled children irrespective of the extent of disability

21.Teachers should have basic general knowledge about the education of children with disabilities

22.Teachers should be able to modify teaching – learning strategies to teach children with disabilities

23.Schools should provide support material such as aids, appliances and books

24.Schools should arrange for specialist teacher support if possible

25.The need for non-discrimination should be taught to young children so that the disability does not become a handicap.

26.Young non-disabled children should be taught that disabled children are children first and disabled next.